By Angela Wittman
Many “pro-life” leaders are applauding the victory of Scott Brown (Republican) to the United States Senate in a special election held this past week in Massachusetts. In all honesty, his victory is at best, a hollow one for the preborn. Let’s take an objective, non-partisan look at Scott Brown’s record and rhetoric on prenatal child-killing as recorded at the website “OnTheIssues.org”:
Scott Brown on Abortion
* 2005: Conscience-based opt out of post-rape contraception. (Jan 2010)
* Provide info about emergency contraception to rape victims. (Jan 2010)
* Support legalized abortion, but not partial-birth abortion. (Jan 2010)
* Supported by right-to-life groups for stem cell stance. (Jan 2010)
* Authored bill for 24-hour waiting period for abortion. (Jan 2010)
* Abortions should always be legally available. (Nov 2002)
Provide info about emergency contraception to rape victims
Brown voted for a 2005 amendment to deny emergency contraception to rape victims, but Coakley's ad [on that subject] doesn't mention that when the amendment failed, Brown voted for the underlying bill anyway.
The most misleading part of the ad, though is not what the narrator says, but what appears on screen. As the contraception amendment is mentioned, viewers see the words, "Deny rape victims care." Emergency contraception is certainly a type of care. But the language on screen implies that Brown would support denial of even, say, treatment of injuries sustained in a rape.
That's far from the truth. The bill required that rape victims be provided with accurate information about emergency contraception and that they be offered it. Brown voted for the bill after unsuccessfully trying to carve out a religion exception. And there is nothing in the record that we are aware of to suggest that Brown ever supported denying any other type of care to victims of sexual assault.
Source: FactCheck "Bay State Battle" AdWatch: 2010 MA Senate debate Jan 13, 2010
Support legalized abortion, but not partial-birth abortion
Brown pointed out that he and Coakley both support legalized abortion. "Yet we have a very real difference," Brown said, "and the difference is I'm against partial-birth abortion, you're not."
"That's not right," Coakley shot back.
"Martha", Brown said, "with all due respect, you wrote an editorial that anyone can go online and find where you actually criticized partial-birth abortion, the fact that it's in fact not allowed. And we also have have a difference in that I don't believe that federal funding of abortion should be allowed, and I believe in a very strong parental consent notification law."
In a 2007 op-ed article in the Quincy Patriot-Ledger, Coakley called a Supreme Court decision upholding a ban on late-term abortions "tragic."
Source: WBUR article on 2010 MA Senate debate Jan 12, 2010
Abortions should always be legally available
Rep. Brown indicated he supports the following principles concerning abortion:
Abortions should always be legally available.
Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
Source: Massachusetts State Legislative Election 2002 NPAT Nov 1, 2002
(Sources: http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Scott_Brown.htm , http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Scott_Brown_Abortion.htm )
As any dedicated, principled pro-lifer knows, prenatal child killing is murder at any stage of the baby’s development and there is absolutely no circumstance which can make the murder of a preborn baby acceptable. This leaves me to wonder at the motives of those so called “pro-life” leaders who are celebrating the victory of a pro-abortion candidate to the US Senate. I must ask, “Are they more Republican than Pro-Life?”
The St. Michael Society, (A society of Catholic professionals and activists engaging to defend and promote the faith in the public policy and political arena, SMS will mobilize on numerous issues from a Catholic perspective including abortion, assisted suicide, gov-run health care, population control, marriage, economic justice and defend against the many political attacks aimed at the Catholic faith. – Taken from their “About Us page at http://stmichaelsociety.com/about/ ) reports reactions from well known national “pro-family” and “pro-life” leaders in their article “Pro-Life Leaders React to Brown Win, Healthcare, Abortion Funding” (http://stmichaelsociety.com/2010/01/20/pro-life-leaders-react-to-brown-win-healthcare-abortion-funding/ ).
Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council, is reported to have said:
“For a Senate seat, considered to be in the left-hand column into eternity, the results of the Massachusetts race is near revolutionary. It is clear from the national involvement in this race that it was more of a referendum on the liberal agenda of the Obama Administration. While the individual candidates were important, it was the respective banners they marched under that was the deciding factor. Coakley marched under the banner of the President’s big government agenda embroidered with healthcare reform. Brown marched under the opposing standard – and won.”
Kristan Hawkins, Executive Director, Students for Life of America, is reported to have said:
“The election of Senator-elect Brown has shown that Americans, regardless of their political affiliation, do not support the pro-death policies in the current health care reform legislation before Congress. The unborn won last night. Now its time to see if Congressional leaders will allow them their chance at life.”
St. Michael’s goes on to report the response of David Bereit, National Director, 40 Days for Life as saying:
“On the week of the 37th anniversary of the unjust Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, the liberal state of Massachusetts has decisively elected Scott Brown who campaigned on the promise to vote against abortion-laden health care reform. This vote is a clear referendum to President Obama, Congress, and abortion industry lobbyists: NO abortion in health care!”
You can read the entire report here: http://stmichaelsociety.com/2010/01/20/pro-life-leaders-react-to-brown-win-healthcare-abortion-funding/ .
The Catholic News Agency reported in their article “Pro-life leaders cheer Brown's win over Coakley” (http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pro-life_leaders_cheer_browns_win_over_coakley/ ) Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life political action group Susan B. Anthony List as saying:
“‘Martha Coakley's defeat is not a setback for women in politics, it is a victory,’ the SBA List president said.
“She went on to call Scott Brown's success ‘a win for the majority of American women who demand authentic representation that reflects commonsense pro-life views, like abortion funding restrictions and conscience protections.’
“‘Abortion is never good for women,” Dannenfelser asserted, “and it should never be a legitimate aspect of any 'health care' debate.’
“‘The message is clear, abortion is not health care,” Dannenfelser of the SBA List concluded in her Wednesday statement. “Americans should not be forced to fund it, and medical providers of faith should not be forced to participate in it.’”
The information on Scott Brown’s views and record on prenatal child-killing was readily available to these groups and their leaders before the election.
The so-called “pro-life” leaders of America celebrating the victory of pro-death Scott Brown to the United States Senate not only boggle my mind, they make me want to draw a clear line between them and myself. They have sacrificed pre-born babies for a hollow Republican victory. It is time for principled pro-lifers to withdraw their support from these groups and begin seriously contending for the personhood of the preborn to be legally recognized.
Please note: Links provided are for informational purposes only.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Fleeing ‘Sodom’ and ‘Gomorrah’
Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
(Genesis 19: 24-26 KJV)
A friend recently wrote on his blog about a lack of discretion and immodesty of some Christian women on Facebook, the “social” networking website. It seems some women were posting the colors of their undergarments on their Facebook status as some sort of way to raise awareness of breast cancer. This friend rightly questioned the judgment of such indiscreet behavior and tried to reason Biblically with the Christian and church-going women involved:
“Yes I am writing a blog entry in regards to women’s undergarments. WHY? You ask… Well yesterday I noticed a lot of the ladies I know posting colors on their facebook status. Apparently this was a stunt organized by a cancer awareness group in regards to Breast Cancer research. Now if you are me the immediate question to ask is: What in the world has someone’s undies got to do with breast cancer research?
“Apparently I was not the only one but one of a few rather that had this same thought. The lack of ladies taking this same thought process is what is astounding to me but what absolutely shocked me was the statements some made. Some preacher’s wives and some otherwise “Godly” women who not only supported this but quite frankly got real angry about those of us calling the practice into question. Several began to wail hysterically about how important cancer research is and etc. Now I have yet to see anyone arguing against cancer research. On the contrary my only point is that is it important enough to prostitute yourself out for it? Because when you willingly share that information in an avenue such as Facebook you are indeed providing men and women with information that you not only do not know you may not even know what they look like or if they are even honest about who they are.”
(Excerpted from: Women’s undergarments…, Wanderings.... by James Pressley, http://lawandliberty.wordpress.com/2010/01/08/womens-undergarments/ )
First of all, let me offer my sisters in Christ some advice: please remember you were supposed to leave your rude, crude and indecent behavior behind when you fled the ‘Sodom’ and ‘Gomorrah’ of your previous sin-filled life to find forgiveness and salvation in Jesus Christ. Please don’t cheapen His grace with foolish and wicked behavior. Instead remember that you are a new creation in Christ:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17 KJV)
Secondly, if you are terribly concerned about preventing breast cancer, please raise awareness of its suspected link with abortion (pre-natal child killing):
“There are two ways that abortion raises a woman’s risk for breast cancer. The first way is not debated. It’s called the ‘protective effect of childbearing,’ and scientists have acknowledged this effect for centuries. The second way is debated, and scientists have studied this effect - known as the "independent link" - since 1957. It has to do with this question: Does an abortion leave a woman with more cancer-vulnerable breast tissue than she had before she became pregnant?”
(Excerpted from: The Biological Explanation, Two Ways That Abortion Raises Breast Cancer Risk, The Coalition on Abortion Breast Cancer, http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/start/ )
And birth control pills:
“An April 2009 study by Jessica Dolle et al. of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center examining the relationship between oral contraceptives (OCs) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in women under age 45 contained an admission from U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) researcher Louise Brinton and her colleagues (including Janet Daling) that abortion raises breast cancer risk by 40%. [1] “Additionally, Dolle's team showed that women who start OCs before age 18 multiply their risk of TNBC by 3.7 times and recent users of OCs within the last one to five years multiply their risk by 4.2 times. TNBC is an aggressive form of breast cancer associated with high mortality.”
(Excerpted from: Researcher Finally Admits Abortion Raises Breast Cancer Risk In Study That Fingers Oral Contraceptives As A Probable Cause Of Breast Cancer, Medical News Today, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/175394.php )
There is no need for you to behave foolish and indecently when you could easily use intelligence and available information to raise awareness of cancer.
Thirdly, please meditate on this excerpt from John Bunyan’s introduction to “Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners” (http://acacia.pair.com/Acacia.John.Bunyan/Sermons.Allegories/Grace.Abounding/Account.Ministry.html ) written in defense of his Christian character which was under attack:
“My foes have missed their mark in this their shooting at me. I am not the man. I wish that they themselves be guiltless. If all the fornicators and adulterers in England were hanged by the neck till they be dead, scaps John Bunyan, the object of their envy, would be still alive and well. I know not whether there be such a thing as a woman breathing under the copes of the whole heaven but by their apparel, their children, or by common fame, except my wife.
“And in this I admire the wisdom of God, that He made me shy of women from my first conversion until now. Those know, and can also bear me witness, with whom I have been most intimately concerned, that it is a rare thing to see me carry it pleasant towards a woman, the common salutation of a woman I abhor, it is odious to me in whosoever I see it. Their company alone, I cannot away with. I seldom so much as touch a woman's hand, for I think these things are not so becoming me. When I have seen good men salute those women that they have visited, or that have visited them, I have at times made my objection against it, and when they have answered, that it was but a piece of civility, I have told them, it is not a comely sight; some indeed have urged the holy kiss but then I have asked why they made baulks, why they did salute the most handsome, and let the ill-favoured go; thus, how laudable soever such things have been in the eyes of others, they have been unseemly in my sight.
“And now for a wind up in this matter, I calling not only men, but angels, to prove me guilty of having carnally to do with any woman save my wife, nor am I afraid to do it a second time, knowing that I cannot offend the Lord in such a case, to call God for a record upon my soul, that in these things I am innocent. Not that I have been thus kept, because of any goodness in me more than any other, but God has been merciful to me, and has kept me; to whom I pray that He will keep me still, not only from this, but from every evil way and work, and preserve me to His heavenly kingdom. Amen.”
Mr. Bunyan has certainly spoken wisdom on the high standard of conduct there should be between Christian men and women. We are not to behave carnally or too familiar with each other. This type of “friendly” behavior among Christian men and women on Facebook prompted me to cancel my account. I did not want to be part of this type of company, especially when I could be spending time with my husband and cultivating a deeper relationship with him.
In conclusion, please think upon this description of godly women found in Scripture:
“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands...” (1 Peter 3: 1-5, KJV).
May you flee the ‘Sodom’ and ‘Gomorrah’ of your former life, with no looking back and run straight toward the Savior with tears of repentance and a heartfelt prayer for revival. Amen.
(Genesis 19: 24-26 KJV)
A friend recently wrote on his blog about a lack of discretion and immodesty of some Christian women on Facebook, the “social” networking website. It seems some women were posting the colors of their undergarments on their Facebook status as some sort of way to raise awareness of breast cancer. This friend rightly questioned the judgment of such indiscreet behavior and tried to reason Biblically with the Christian and church-going women involved:
“Yes I am writing a blog entry in regards to women’s undergarments. WHY? You ask… Well yesterday I noticed a lot of the ladies I know posting colors on their facebook status. Apparently this was a stunt organized by a cancer awareness group in regards to Breast Cancer research. Now if you are me the immediate question to ask is: What in the world has someone’s undies got to do with breast cancer research?
“Apparently I was not the only one but one of a few rather that had this same thought. The lack of ladies taking this same thought process is what is astounding to me but what absolutely shocked me was the statements some made. Some preacher’s wives and some otherwise “Godly” women who not only supported this but quite frankly got real angry about those of us calling the practice into question. Several began to wail hysterically about how important cancer research is and etc. Now I have yet to see anyone arguing against cancer research. On the contrary my only point is that is it important enough to prostitute yourself out for it? Because when you willingly share that information in an avenue such as Facebook you are indeed providing men and women with information that you not only do not know you may not even know what they look like or if they are even honest about who they are.”
(Excerpted from: Women’s undergarments…, Wanderings.... by James Pressley, http://lawandliberty.wordpress.com/2010/01/08/womens-undergarments/ )
First of all, let me offer my sisters in Christ some advice: please remember you were supposed to leave your rude, crude and indecent behavior behind when you fled the ‘Sodom’ and ‘Gomorrah’ of your previous sin-filled life to find forgiveness and salvation in Jesus Christ. Please don’t cheapen His grace with foolish and wicked behavior. Instead remember that you are a new creation in Christ:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17 KJV)
Secondly, if you are terribly concerned about preventing breast cancer, please raise awareness of its suspected link with abortion (pre-natal child killing):
“There are two ways that abortion raises a woman’s risk for breast cancer. The first way is not debated. It’s called the ‘protective effect of childbearing,’ and scientists have acknowledged this effect for centuries. The second way is debated, and scientists have studied this effect - known as the "independent link" - since 1957. It has to do with this question: Does an abortion leave a woman with more cancer-vulnerable breast tissue than she had before she became pregnant?”
(Excerpted from: The Biological Explanation, Two Ways That Abortion Raises Breast Cancer Risk, The Coalition on Abortion Breast Cancer, http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/start/ )
And birth control pills:
“An April 2009 study by Jessica Dolle et al. of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center examining the relationship between oral contraceptives (OCs) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in women under age 45 contained an admission from U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) researcher Louise Brinton and her colleagues (including Janet Daling) that abortion raises breast cancer risk by 40%. [1] “Additionally, Dolle's team showed that women who start OCs before age 18 multiply their risk of TNBC by 3.7 times and recent users of OCs within the last one to five years multiply their risk by 4.2 times. TNBC is an aggressive form of breast cancer associated with high mortality.”
(Excerpted from: Researcher Finally Admits Abortion Raises Breast Cancer Risk In Study That Fingers Oral Contraceptives As A Probable Cause Of Breast Cancer, Medical News Today, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/175394.php )
There is no need for you to behave foolish and indecently when you could easily use intelligence and available information to raise awareness of cancer.
Thirdly, please meditate on this excerpt from John Bunyan’s introduction to “Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners” (http://acacia.pair.com/Acacia.John.Bunyan/Sermons.Allegories/Grace.Abounding/Account.Ministry.html ) written in defense of his Christian character which was under attack:
“My foes have missed their mark in this their shooting at me. I am not the man. I wish that they themselves be guiltless. If all the fornicators and adulterers in England were hanged by the neck till they be dead, scaps John Bunyan, the object of their envy, would be still alive and well. I know not whether there be such a thing as a woman breathing under the copes of the whole heaven but by their apparel, their children, or by common fame, except my wife.
“And in this I admire the wisdom of God, that He made me shy of women from my first conversion until now. Those know, and can also bear me witness, with whom I have been most intimately concerned, that it is a rare thing to see me carry it pleasant towards a woman, the common salutation of a woman I abhor, it is odious to me in whosoever I see it. Their company alone, I cannot away with. I seldom so much as touch a woman's hand, for I think these things are not so becoming me. When I have seen good men salute those women that they have visited, or that have visited them, I have at times made my objection against it, and when they have answered, that it was but a piece of civility, I have told them, it is not a comely sight; some indeed have urged the holy kiss but then I have asked why they made baulks, why they did salute the most handsome, and let the ill-favoured go; thus, how laudable soever such things have been in the eyes of others, they have been unseemly in my sight.
“And now for a wind up in this matter, I calling not only men, but angels, to prove me guilty of having carnally to do with any woman save my wife, nor am I afraid to do it a second time, knowing that I cannot offend the Lord in such a case, to call God for a record upon my soul, that in these things I am innocent. Not that I have been thus kept, because of any goodness in me more than any other, but God has been merciful to me, and has kept me; to whom I pray that He will keep me still, not only from this, but from every evil way and work, and preserve me to His heavenly kingdom. Amen.”
Mr. Bunyan has certainly spoken wisdom on the high standard of conduct there should be between Christian men and women. We are not to behave carnally or too familiar with each other. This type of “friendly” behavior among Christian men and women on Facebook prompted me to cancel my account. I did not want to be part of this type of company, especially when I could be spending time with my husband and cultivating a deeper relationship with him.
In conclusion, please think upon this description of godly women found in Scripture:
“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands...” (1 Peter 3: 1-5, KJV).
May you flee the ‘Sodom’ and ‘Gomorrah’ of your former life, with no looking back and run straight toward the Savior with tears of repentance and a heartfelt prayer for revival. Amen.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Casting Crowns before the Lord
The four and twenty Elders fell down before him that sat on the throne, and worshipped him that liveth for evermore, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor, and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy will’s sake they are, and have been created.
Rev. 4: 10, 11 (1599 Geneva Bible)
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor, and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy will’s sake they are, and have been created.
Rev. 4: 10, 11 (1599 Geneva Bible)
Dear Friends,
This Scripture from the Book of Revelation weighs heavy upon my heart as I observe the modern Church in America. The Geneva Bible study note for verse 10 explains:
Three signs of honor given unto God, prostration or falling down, adoration and
casting their crowns before God, in which the godly, though made kings by
Christ, do willingly empty themselves of all glory, moved with a religious
respect for the majesty of God.
Are you moved with a religious respect for the majesty of God? Or truly committed to laying down your life for Christ and willing to “cast” your “crown” before Him? I ask because I see little dying to self within the American Church and much living for the world and self-gratification. I hear much talk about “my rights” and little said about the glory of persecution for the advancement of the Gospel. Instead I see Christians joining with unbelievers to advance their cause and following leaders who make their living by stirring up fear and anger.
The Geneva Bible study note for verse 11 states:
The sum of their speech: that all glory must be given unto God: the reason,
because he is the eternal beginning of all things, from whose only will they
have their being and are governed: and finally in all respects are that which
they are.
Do you have this high and a lofty view of our Lord? Do you see Him as the Sovereign King of Heaven and Earth? That He is “the eternal beginning of all things” and that it is from His will we have our “being and are governed”? If so, my friends please take heart and stand firm for Christ. Don’t let fear be your master. But instead,
“...walk in love, even as Christ hath loved us, and given himself for us, to be
an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savor to God.” (Eph. 5: 2)
Remember and encourage yourselves with these truths:
“...let us also, seeing that we are compassed with so great a cloud ofMy prayer is you will see with the eyes of your heart the glorious riches we have in Christ and that obedience and faithfulness to Him is our greatest expression of love.
witnesses, cast away everything that presseth down, and the sin that hangeth so
fast on: let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set
before him, endured the cross, and despised the shame, and is set at the right
hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12: 1, 2)
May you trust in Him alone. Amen.
All Scripture used is from the 1599 Geneva Bible.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Love
1 Corinthians 13
(King James Version)
Love
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth [1] not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; [2] 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; [3] whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. [4] 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought [5] as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; [6] but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
The LORD has given us instruction on how we are to live as Christians, and it surely must grieve His heart to see the way we treat each other, as with the bickering that goes on amongst us as though we are unregenerated worldlings instead of children of the King.
I am as guilty as anyone of not being as kind, patient, or loving as I should be to others and my prayer is “LORD, let this wickedness stop with me.”
If it means I must bear patiently with insults, then so be it.
If it means I lay my life down for others, then so be it.
If it means I stand back and let others go before me, then so be it.
I pray that each of us will remember that Christ died for our Christian brothers and sisters and we will bear patiently with one another. Thank you.
For His Glory,
Angela Wittman
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
but a woman that feareth the LORD,
she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 KJV
http://www.angelawittman.net/
(King James Version)
Love
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth [1] not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; [2] 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; [3] whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. [4] 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought [5] as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; [6] but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
The LORD has given us instruction on how we are to live as Christians, and it surely must grieve His heart to see the way we treat each other, as with the bickering that goes on amongst us as though we are unregenerated worldlings instead of children of the King.
I am as guilty as anyone of not being as kind, patient, or loving as I should be to others and my prayer is “LORD, let this wickedness stop with me.”
If it means I must bear patiently with insults, then so be it.
If it means I lay my life down for others, then so be it.
If it means I stand back and let others go before me, then so be it.
I pray that each of us will remember that Christ died for our Christian brothers and sisters and we will bear patiently with one another. Thank you.
For His Glory,
Angela Wittman
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
but a woman that feareth the LORD,
she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:30 KJV
http://www.angelawittman.net/
Saturday, July 11, 2009
A 'higher calling'
Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska, recently announced her intention to resign from office, and offered this explanation in her resignation speech:
"In fact, this decision comes after much consideration and finally polling the most important people in my life - my children (where the count was unanimous... well, in response to asking: 'Want me to make a positive difference and fight for ALL our children's future from outside the Governor's office?' It was four 'yes's' and one 'hell yeah!' The 'hell yeah' sealed it - and someday I'll talk about the details of that... I think much of it had to do with the kids seeing their baby brother Trig mocked by some pretty mean-spirited adults recently.) Um, by the way, sure wish folks could ever, ever understand that we all could learn so much from someone like Trig - I know he needs me, but I need him even more... what a child can offer to set priorities right – that time is precious... the world needs more 'Trigs', not fewer."
(Source: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/exec-column.php)
While I am sympathetic to the toll politics has taken on Gov. Palin’s family, I sincerely hope and pray she will see that the ‘higher calling’ she alluded to seeking on a social networking website is that of a wife and mother.
God’s Word tells us that women are “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2:5 KJV) And while married women can be supportive and helpful to godly men seeking political office, it is not to take the place of or interfere with their higher calling of being a wife and mother.
What are the scriptural qualifications for civil officers? “The Scriptural Basis for Christian Civil Government” which is found in the book Explicitly Christian Politics – The Vision of the National Reform Association, edited by William O. Einwechter and published by The Christian Statesman Press in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania tells us:
1. Civil rulers are ministers of God, deriving all just authority ultimately from Him (Prov. 8:15-16; Rom. 13:4-6).
2. Civil officers hold their trust from God, through the people, to protect and enforce right, and restrain and punish evil doers (Rom. 13:4-6; 1Pet. 2:13-14).
3. Hence, none but able, just, and God-fearing men should be exalted to the office of civil ruler (Ex. 18:21; 2 Sam. 23:2-3). (Emphasis mine.)
4. When immoral men are elevated to the civil magistracy, wickedness and wicked men are encouraged (Ps. 12:8).
5. Civil rulers are enjoined to learn Christ’s law, and acknowledge and obey Him as King (Ps. 2:10-12).
6. They are required to consult God’s revealed law as the great law-book of the nation. (Deut. 17:18-20).
7. Just and God-fearing rulers bring the clear sunshine of peace and prosperity to a nation (2 Sam. 23:3-4).
American Christians would do well to follow God’s Word for national peace and prosperity and vote only for qualified godly men. Amen.
"In fact, this decision comes after much consideration and finally polling the most important people in my life - my children (where the count was unanimous... well, in response to asking: 'Want me to make a positive difference and fight for ALL our children's future from outside the Governor's office?' It was four 'yes's' and one 'hell yeah!' The 'hell yeah' sealed it - and someday I'll talk about the details of that... I think much of it had to do with the kids seeing their baby brother Trig mocked by some pretty mean-spirited adults recently.) Um, by the way, sure wish folks could ever, ever understand that we all could learn so much from someone like Trig - I know he needs me, but I need him even more... what a child can offer to set priorities right – that time is precious... the world needs more 'Trigs', not fewer."
(Source: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/exec-column.php)
While I am sympathetic to the toll politics has taken on Gov. Palin’s family, I sincerely hope and pray she will see that the ‘higher calling’ she alluded to seeking on a social networking website is that of a wife and mother.
God’s Word tells us that women are “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2:5 KJV) And while married women can be supportive and helpful to godly men seeking political office, it is not to take the place of or interfere with their higher calling of being a wife and mother.
What are the scriptural qualifications for civil officers? “The Scriptural Basis for Christian Civil Government” which is found in the book Explicitly Christian Politics – The Vision of the National Reform Association, edited by William O. Einwechter and published by The Christian Statesman Press in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania tells us:
1. Civil rulers are ministers of God, deriving all just authority ultimately from Him (Prov. 8:15-16; Rom. 13:4-6).
2. Civil officers hold their trust from God, through the people, to protect and enforce right, and restrain and punish evil doers (Rom. 13:4-6; 1Pet. 2:13-14).
3. Hence, none but able, just, and God-fearing men should be exalted to the office of civil ruler (Ex. 18:21; 2 Sam. 23:2-3). (Emphasis mine.)
4. When immoral men are elevated to the civil magistracy, wickedness and wicked men are encouraged (Ps. 12:8).
5. Civil rulers are enjoined to learn Christ’s law, and acknowledge and obey Him as King (Ps. 2:10-12).
6. They are required to consult God’s revealed law as the great law-book of the nation. (Deut. 17:18-20).
7. Just and God-fearing rulers bring the clear sunshine of peace and prosperity to a nation (2 Sam. 23:3-4).
American Christians would do well to follow God’s Word for national peace and prosperity and vote only for qualified godly men. Amen.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
A Call to Raise a Biblical Standard (Part Two)
Last week we looked at Scriptures (Psalm 33: 12-22 and Psalm 53: 1-3) which tell us that the nation whose God is the Lord is blessed and those who say there is no God are foolish and corrupt. This week I want to share with you “The Scriptural Basis for Christian Civil Government” which is found in the book Explicitly Christian Politics – The Vision of the National Reform Association, edited by William O. Einwechter and published by The Christian Statesman Press in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The first section on page 256 is under the heading of “Scriptural Teaching as to the Origin and Nature of the Nation” and tells us:
1. God is the Author of all national life (Deut. 26:19; Ps. 86:9; Acts 17:24 – 26).
2. God brings each particular nation into existence in its own time in the progress of the world’s history (Acts 17:26).
3. God gives to each nation its own rightful territory (Acts 17:26).
4. It is, therefore, God’s prerogative, as the Just Ruler of nations, to take away national life, as well as to bestow and maintain it (Jer. 18: 7-10).
5. The nation, a being which God creates, and which He rewards for its righteousness, or destroys for its sins, is a moral being to which God has given supreme moral law. (Deut. 6:1-3; 8:1).
6. Civil government, the institution for the regulation and control of national life, is in its principle the ordinance of God, and is to be obeyed as such a divine ordinance (Rom. 13:1-2).
7. Civil government, in its framework or constitution, the distribution and arrangement of its powers, is the ordinance of man (1 Pet. 2:13-14).With these points in mind, we can look at the efforts to consolidate nations through a Biblical viewpoint as being man’s effort at autonomous rule. He has shaken his fist at God and declared that by his own efforts he will rule, reign and bring in a utopia, while Scripture reminds us that only God can give man true peace and happiness.
One can examine the efforts at globalization, the United Nations, the European Union, the possibility of a North American Union, etc. and see that the fruits they are producing reek of corruption and tyranny. And while some laugh at the recent moves of States to declare their sovereignty and rights to the leviathan known as the federal government in the united States of America, the Biblical response may be for us to take a moment to stand still and declare the glory of the Lord and His hand in this movement.
As stated in Acts 17: 26, students of history and the Holy Bible can attest that God “hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation...”
Friends, as we continue to watch history unfold, I pray you’ll seek the LORD. Amen.
The first section on page 256 is under the heading of “Scriptural Teaching as to the Origin and Nature of the Nation” and tells us:
1. God is the Author of all national life (Deut. 26:19; Ps. 86:9; Acts 17:24 – 26).
2. God brings each particular nation into existence in its own time in the progress of the world’s history (Acts 17:26).
3. God gives to each nation its own rightful territory (Acts 17:26).
4. It is, therefore, God’s prerogative, as the Just Ruler of nations, to take away national life, as well as to bestow and maintain it (Jer. 18: 7-10).
5. The nation, a being which God creates, and which He rewards for its righteousness, or destroys for its sins, is a moral being to which God has given supreme moral law. (Deut. 6:1-3; 8:1).
6. Civil government, the institution for the regulation and control of national life, is in its principle the ordinance of God, and is to be obeyed as such a divine ordinance (Rom. 13:1-2).
7. Civil government, in its framework or constitution, the distribution and arrangement of its powers, is the ordinance of man (1 Pet. 2:13-14).With these points in mind, we can look at the efforts to consolidate nations through a Biblical viewpoint as being man’s effort at autonomous rule. He has shaken his fist at God and declared that by his own efforts he will rule, reign and bring in a utopia, while Scripture reminds us that only God can give man true peace and happiness.
One can examine the efforts at globalization, the United Nations, the European Union, the possibility of a North American Union, etc. and see that the fruits they are producing reek of corruption and tyranny. And while some laugh at the recent moves of States to declare their sovereignty and rights to the leviathan known as the federal government in the united States of America, the Biblical response may be for us to take a moment to stand still and declare the glory of the Lord and His hand in this movement.
As stated in Acts 17: 26, students of history and the Holy Bible can attest that God “hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation...”
Friends, as we continue to watch history unfold, I pray you’ll seek the LORD. Amen.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
A Call to Raise a Biblical Standard (Part One)
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” – Psalm 33: 12
One only has to read the daily news to see that our nation is in dire straits and we have lost our course. We have enemies within and without our shores which seek to destroy us. And while we watch the storm clouds gather and many are predicting doom and gloom for America, I have hope.
Psalm 33, verses 12 -22 tells us:
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.”
My hope lies in the person of Jesus Christ, and while others may trust in our government and its leaders for security, I prefer the solid rock and refuge found only in Christ. While others may fear and tremble at the future, I can look to the One who holds the future in His hands and find peace. I find courage when I reflect upon the absolute set standards of God’s Law, His promises for obedience and examples of His blessings throughout history for those nations who honored Him.
My fear is for those who dismiss God and His Word as they seek to live autonomous lives devoid of any Biblical standards, Christian ethics and understanding.
Psalm 53, verses 1 – 3 tells us:
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
Friends, let us not be like the fool and deny the existence of a holy and just God, but instead let’s seek His kingdom and all righteousness by raising a Biblical Standard in our spheres of influence, including our civil government.
One only has to read the daily news to see that our nation is in dire straits and we have lost our course. We have enemies within and without our shores which seek to destroy us. And while we watch the storm clouds gather and many are predicting doom and gloom for America, I have hope.
Psalm 33, verses 12 -22 tells us:
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.”
My hope lies in the person of Jesus Christ, and while others may trust in our government and its leaders for security, I prefer the solid rock and refuge found only in Christ. While others may fear and tremble at the future, I can look to the One who holds the future in His hands and find peace. I find courage when I reflect upon the absolute set standards of God’s Law, His promises for obedience and examples of His blessings throughout history for those nations who honored Him.
My fear is for those who dismiss God and His Word as they seek to live autonomous lives devoid of any Biblical standards, Christian ethics and understanding.
Psalm 53, verses 1 – 3 tells us:
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
Friends, let us not be like the fool and deny the existence of a holy and just God, but instead let’s seek His kingdom and all righteousness by raising a Biblical Standard in our spheres of influence, including our civil government.
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